ORANGEBURG, SC — Fayetteville State used a dominant defensive effort on the perimeter and a balanced offensive attack to secure a 91–78 win over Claflin on Wednesday night at Tullis Arena. In front of 450 fans, the Broncos frustrated the Panthers from three‑point range and controlled the final minutes to stay atop the CIAA standings. FSU improves to 19–6 overall and 13–2 in the CIAA, while Claflin drops to 13–10 and 11–4.
Fayetteville State’s game plan centered around taking away Claflin’s perimeter game, and the execution was nearly flawless. The Panthers were held to 5-for-25 from beyond the arc (20 percent), including just 1-for-11 in the second half, removing a major piece of their offensive identity. The defensive discipline also forced 17 Claflin turnovers, which the Broncos converted into 15 points.
Offensively, FSU showcased its depth and efficiency. Larry Howell led all scorers with 26 points on 8-of-12 shooting, adding seven rebounds and two steals while going 10-of-12 from the free‑throw line. Terrell Williams delivered a dominant two-way performance, finishing with 18 points, a game‑high 14 rebounds, and three assists, marking a double‑double that anchored the Broncos on both ends. Darius Boben added 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting with three steals, and Travon Cooper contributed 10 points, giving the Broncos four players in double figures. As a team, FSU shot 49 percent from the field, scored 46 points in the paint, and racked up 33 fast-break points, a major difference‑maker as the game progressed…